HB 1751 exempts required course materials (like textbooks and digital resources) from Washington state sales and use taxes for students enrolled at public colleges and universities. It requires students to show valid enrollment proof at approved vendors (campus bookstores or institution-designated online sellers) to qualify for the exemption. Public institutions must inform students about this tax break via their websites and course syllabi. The bill directly affects all students at Washington’s public higher education institutions by reducing out-of-pocket costs for essential learning materials, which the legislature notes are increasingly unaffordable (65% of students skip buying textbooks due to cost).
HB 1570 grants collective bargaining rights to student employees (those enrolled in academic or certificate programs) at Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Western Washington University, and The Evergreen State College. It defines specific bargaining topics, including tuition remission and waivers, while excluding issues like academic calendars, tuition amounts, student admissions, and termination based on academic performance. Compensation agreements must align with legislative budget limits, though institutions may offer additional pay beyond these limits. The bill applies only to employees not already covered by other collective bargaining laws at these institutions.
HB 1612 requires Washington's Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to subsidize exam registration and administration fees for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cambridge International exams taken by public high school students. This directly affects students in Washington state who participate in these college-level courses by reducing their financial barriers. The bill mandates annual reports tracking participation, credit awards, and academic performance, disaggregated by student demographics including gender, homelessness status, and language learning needs. A 2026 report will specifically analyze whether the fee subsidy changed exam pass rates and the demographic diversity of students enrolled in these programs.
HB 2070 establishes a formula to provide state funding parity for Western Washington University (WWU) by addressing its historically lowest per-student funding among Washington's public universities. Starting with the 2029-2031 budget cycle, the bill requires the legislature to calculate a funding ratio based on carryforward budget levels and full-time equivalent students; if WWU has the lowest ratio, it will receive supplemental funding to match the next-highest regional university. This directly affects WWU students and the university by reducing tuition costs and aligning its funding with peers, as WWU has consistently received less per-student funding despite strong enrollment and graduation rates. The bill aims to support Washington's workforce goals, noting 70% of family-wage jobs require a bachelor's degree and 300,000 additional degree-holders are needed by 2035.
SB 5402 modifies Washington State's college financial aid program by expanding eligibility for the maximum Washington College Grant to students with family incomes up to 70% of the state median family income (up from 55%), with temporary adjustments during 2022-2025. It adds a new $500 annual "bridge grant" for students receiving the maximum Washington College Grant but not the College Bound Scholarship, to cover non-tuition expenses like books, housing, and child care. The bridge grant applies after other gift aid is awarded and requires at least half-time enrollment. This bill directly affects low-income Washington students pursuing higher education, particularly those who qualify for the maximum grant but lack additional scholarship support. The changes take effect for the 2025-26 academic year.
HB 1661 establishes a pilot project to provide $25,000 grants to eligible Washington residents born into poverty. It directly affects individuals who were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP before age one and remain enrolled at application, are Washington residents, and are 18-36 years old. The grants, administered through the State Treasurer's Office, can be used for education, home purchases, or starting a business in Washington, with funds not counting as assets for public assistance eligibility. The pilot will randomly select participants across geographic regions, require financial coaching, and include impact evaluations by the University of Washington. This is a limited-time study to test whether such grants improve economic stability for people facing intergenerational poverty.
House Bill 1587 encourages local governments, including municipalities, counties, and federally recognized Indian tribes, to establish their own "promise scholarship programs" for Washington students. These local programs will operate within the existing Washington state opportunity scholarship program, which will administer the scholarships, but local governments can set their own student eligibility rules and determine which educational programs to support. The scholarships aim to cover tuition and fees not met by other state aid, with local governments having the option to provide additional funds for expenses like books. The bill also authorizes state matching funds, up to $300,000 per local program annually, to support these efforts and expand access to postsecondary education.
HB 1036 requires Washington's community colleges, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College to include at least one labor representative on each governing board. This bill amends existing laws to mandate that labor representation be considered when appointing board members, alongside geographical diversity and representation of women, racial, and ethnic minorities. The labor trustee must be appointed by the governor and cannot be an employee of the higher education system. This change directly affects the composition of college governing boards but does not alter policies affecting students or faculty. The bill takes effect October 1, 2030.
HB 1495 establishes a two-year pilot program in eastern Washington to provide financial support for college and career training. It directly affects high school graduates in 10 counties east of the Cascade Mountains who meet income limits (150% of state median family income), enroll in local postsecondary programs within a year of graduation, and apply for federal/state aid. The program offers up to $5,000 annually for tuition and fees (after other aid is applied) to 100 students yearly, plus a separate high school component providing full community college tuition for two years at three selected schools. Funding comes from state matching funds (up to $500,000 for 2026 and $1 million for 2027) paired with private contributions, with reporting required on student outcomes by December 2028. The program expires August 1, 2029.
Senate Bill 5543 aims to provide equity in eligibility for the College Bound Scholarship program in Washington state. The bill standardizes how eligible students can meet the high school graduation requirement by confirming that receiving a high school equivalency certificate is a valid pathway for all scholarship recipients. It removes a previous specific provision that separately allowed certain dependent or adopted students to use this certificate, thereby streamlining the requirements. This
